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NC ranks 12th in nationwide obesity report

Reported by Casey Roman - blog|email
Posted by Debra Worley - email

WILMNGTON, NC (WECT) - The state of North Carolina has the 12th highest obesity rate in the country, according to a report from the Trust for America's Health.

The report says adult obesity rates increased in 23 states from last year, North Carolina being one of them.  It also shows children obesity is at or above 30% in 30 states.

But why are the rates increasing each year?

According to Trust for America's Health:

1. The current economic crisis exacerbates obesity with food prices for healthy foods rising and more people becoming unemployed and uninsured.

2. North Carolina is one of 19 states that has nutritional standards for school meals that are stricter than the current USDA requirements.

Many people spent the day lounging at the beach or eating hamburgers and hot dogs Friday in celebration of the July 4th holiday, but very few people made it to the gym.

"So maybe we deserve our number 12 ranking?" said personal trainer Eladio Camarillo.  "Start to work out on a regular basis. We have a lot of people who join and we never see them again."

To make a healthier North Carolina it may be time to trade in the towel you tan on for one you sweat on.

Click here to see the complete 2009 obesity ranking, and here for the complete 2008 ranks.

©2009 WECT. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Trust for America's Health contributed to this report.